After I was done crying my heart out over phone telling my sister how stupid was I to say in a leading Paints company's that their GD topic in itself was wrong and then get chucked out, when everyone else like good MBAs were busy quoting Apple and Samsung. My sister lovingly scolded me and said "what would have I said to people that my brother sells paints? I want to tell them that my brother works for HSBC so go and study".
Well after another GD mishap, only this time the entire group was staring at gallows, because we had been so well trained to speak eloquently for two years that no one allowed anyone to speak. I somehow managed to wriggle free. As I was preparing for the battle ahead, I reminisced. Some years ago as most of us were deciding which engineering college we were going to waste our time and Dad's money. One rich friend was going to USA to do exactly the same, only in dollars and he was opening an account in HSBC.For a middle class Patna guy who was used to run down bank buildings with beetle spit artwork adorning walls, chairs which could land even the branch manager on his posterior anytime, that HSBC building was a bliss and I just wondered wouldn't it be nice to be here someday.
Enough romanticising, I was first in line for the interview, checked my tie, need not check my hair. In I went with the stride and energy to conquer the world, out I came sweating profusely in December Delhi winter and I am sure the two-three hairs that I have on my head were standing. After I was done kicking and cursing myself, I treated myself with the combination of nicotine and caffeine for the next eight hours, stomach begged for food, lungs cried for mercy. I kept at it.
Finally they were ready, two names were announced I was not there, my heart sank. In a few microseconds I recalled all bunk classes and all drunken nights, basically I counted my sins and believe me they were many. But then came those two beautiful words my Dad had chosen to be my name. I was numb, ecstatic. Lifted up, thrown down, shirt torn but the most fun was waking up my Mom in the middle of the night to let her know that from now on I would be buying leather purses for her from my own money and they could be a bit expensive.
As goes my favourite quote "Roshni agar manjoor ho khuda ko to aandhiyon me bi chirag jalte hai!!!!"
Well after another GD mishap, only this time the entire group was staring at gallows, because we had been so well trained to speak eloquently for two years that no one allowed anyone to speak. I somehow managed to wriggle free. As I was preparing for the battle ahead, I reminisced. Some years ago as most of us were deciding which engineering college we were going to waste our time and Dad's money. One rich friend was going to USA to do exactly the same, only in dollars and he was opening an account in HSBC.For a middle class Patna guy who was used to run down bank buildings with beetle spit artwork adorning walls, chairs which could land even the branch manager on his posterior anytime, that HSBC building was a bliss and I just wondered wouldn't it be nice to be here someday.
Enough romanticising, I was first in line for the interview, checked my tie, need not check my hair. In I went with the stride and energy to conquer the world, out I came sweating profusely in December Delhi winter and I am sure the two-three hairs that I have on my head were standing. After I was done kicking and cursing myself, I treated myself with the combination of nicotine and caffeine for the next eight hours, stomach begged for food, lungs cried for mercy. I kept at it.
Finally they were ready, two names were announced I was not there, my heart sank. In a few microseconds I recalled all bunk classes and all drunken nights, basically I counted my sins and believe me they were many. But then came those two beautiful words my Dad had chosen to be my name. I was numb, ecstatic. Lifted up, thrown down, shirt torn but the most fun was waking up my Mom in the middle of the night to let her know that from now on I would be buying leather purses for her from my own money and they could be a bit expensive.
As goes my favourite quote "Roshni agar manjoor ho khuda ko to aandhiyon me bi chirag jalte hai!!!!"
